Outspoken Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann likes to make herself out to be a bastion of American conservatism, standing true as a bulwark against alleged socialism.
But that image is about to come crashing down around her.
Bachmann and her family were the recipients of over a quarter of a million dollars in "corrupt" farm subsidies in the nine years leading up to 2006, according to a new report by Yasha Levine, writing for Truth Dig.
Even for a woman who once warned that President Obama was "reaching down the throat and ripping the guts out of freedom," that's a lot of dough. In fact, it's almost exactly how much her stake in the family farm is worth.
"Bachmann’s financial disclosure forms indicate her stake in the Wisconsin farm is worth up to $250,000," noted Politico's Glenn Thrush. "Her income from the farm has grown from $2,000 a year a few years back to as much as $50,000 for 2008."
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According to figures produced by the Environmental Working Group, farm subsidies are being dolled out with almost no care as to who gets them. Over just the last 11 years, the federal government paid out over $178 billion to farmer in the U.S., whether they were truly farming or not.
Also mentioned by Levine, Senator Chuck Grassley, one of the Senate's most fierce opponents to public health care, has seen his family rake in over $1 million in taxpayer funds over 11 years. While his son has gotten the lion's share of the socialized funds, with a total at $699,248, Grassley himself has done well, taking in some $238,974.
"Even Grassley’s grandson is learning to ride through life on training wheels, snagging $5,964 in 2005 and $2,363 in 2006. In the Grassley family they learn early how to enjoy other people’s money," Levine wrote.
Sen. Sam Brownback is among the recipients as well, netting $500,000 over 11 years.
And it's not just Republicans taking on taxpayer dollars while fighting tooth and nail to block socialized medicine. Democrats Max Baucus' and Blanche Lincoln's families pocketed $250,000 and $715,000 respectively.
Among the congressional districts that received farm subsidies, four of the top five are represented by Republicans.
